User identification for scanning apparatus

Abstract

A scanning apparatus includes a transparent platen on which an item can be placed for scanning; a light source configured to emit light through the transparent platen to reflect off the item; a photosensor array that is movable to receive light reflected from successive portions of the item and convert the reflected light into electrical signals; a controller for providing digitized data from the electrical signals to form a digitized image of the item; and a lid including a first position such that the lid covers the transparent platen; a second position such that the lid does not cover the transparent platen; and a door that is configured to expose a portion of the transparent platen when the lid is in the first position.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A scanning apparatus comprising:
 a transparent platen on which an item can be placed for scanning; 
 a light source configured to emit light through the transparent platen to reflect off the item; 
 a photosensor array that is movable to receive light reflected from successive portions of the item and convert the reflected light into electrical signals; 
 a controller for providing digitized data from the electrical signals to form a digitized image of the item; and 
 a lid including:
 a first position such that the lid covers the transparent platen; 
 a second position such that the lid does not cover the transparent platen; and 
 a door that is configured to expose a portion of the transparent platen when the lid is in the first position, wherein the exposed portion of the transparent platen is configured to be a size not larger than 2 square inches. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The scanning apparatus of  claim 1 , the transparent platen having a first area and the portion of the transparent platen exposed by the door having a second area, wherein the second area is less than three percent of the first area. 
     
     
       3. The scanning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lid further includes a white reflective member configured to face the transparent platen, and wherein the door includes a white reflective portion configured to face the transparent platen. 
     
     
       4. The scanning apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the white reflective portion of the door is substantially complementary in shape to the white reflective member of the lid. 
     
     
       5. The scanning apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a transparent member proximate the door in the lid, wherein when the door is opened, the portion of transparent platen is exposed through the transparent member. 
     
     
       6. The scanning apparatus of  claim 1 , the transparent platen including a reference corner located at a first end of the transparent platen, wherein the door is located near a second end of the transparent platen that is opposite the first end. 
     
     
       7. The scanning apparatus of  claim 1 , the lid further including an automatic document feeder configured to feed documents past a parked position of the scan assembly, wherein the parked position is located near a first end of the transparent platen, and wherein the door in the lid is located near a second end of the transparent platen that is opposite the first end. 
     
     
       8. The scanning apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a button to initiate a scan of the exposed portion of the transparent platen when the button is pushed. 
     
     
       9. The scanning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the scanning apparatus is connectable to a network. 
     
     
       10. A multifunction printer comprising:
 a printing apparatus for printing images on recording medium; and 
 a scanning apparatus comprising:
 a transparent platen on which an item can be placed for scanning; 
 a light source configured to emit light through the transparent platen to reflect off the item; 
 a photosensor array that is movable to receive light reflected from successive portions of the item and convert the reflected light into electrical signals; 
 a controller for providing digitized data from the electrical signals to form a digitized image of the item; and 
 a lid including:
 a first position such that the lid covers the transparent platen; 
 a second position such that the lid does not cover the transparent platen; and 
 a door that is configured to expose a portion of the transparent platen when the lid is in the first position, wherein the exposed portion of the transparent platen is configured to be a size not larger than 2 square inches. 
 
 
 
     
     
       11. The multifunction printer of  claim 10 , the transparent platen having a first area and the portion of the transparent platen exposed by the door having a second area, wherein the second area is less than three percent of the first area. 
     
     
       12. The multifunction printer of  claim 10 , wherein the lid further includes a white reflective member configured to face the transparent platen, and wherein the door includes a white reflective portion configured to face the transparent platen. 
     
     
       13. The multifunction printer of  claim 12 , wherein the white reflective portion of the door is substantially complementary in shape to the white reflective member of the lid. 
     
     
       14. The multifunction printer of  claim 10  further comprising a transparent member proximate the door in the lid, wherein when the door is opened, the portion of transparent platen is exposed through the transparent member. 
     
     
       15. The multifunction printer of  claim 10  the transparent platen including a reference corner located at a first end of the transparent platen, wherein the door is located near a second end of the transparent platen that is opposite the first end. 
     
     
       16. The multifunction printer of  claim 10 , the lid further including an automatic document feeder configured to feed documents past a parked position of the scan assembly, wherein the parked position is located near a first end of the transparent platen, and wherein the door in the lid is located near a second end of the transparent platen that is opposite the first end. 
     
     
       17. The multifunction printer of  claim 10  further comprising a button to initiate a scan of the exposed portion of the transparent platen when the button is pushed. 
     
     
       18. The multifunction printer of  claim 17 , wherein the button is virtual button on a software application. 
     
     
       19. The multifunction printer of  claim 10 , wherein the multifunction printer is connectable to a network. 
     
     
       20. The multifunction printer of  claim 10  further comprising a control panel, wherein the control panel is detachable from the multifunction printer.